n e w c h u r c h l i f e : j u ly / au g u s t 2 0 1 4
David managed to defeat Goliath for them, it was not that many years later
that King Solomon married foreign wives and allowed the worship of other
gods that set up their eventual demise. I’m sure Solomon “knew” the first
commandment, but he clearly hadn’t mastered it. The Israelites ended up in
exile, and having their land taken over by foreign nations.
No doubt some of them were confused as to how this happened. After all,
weren’t they God’s chosen people? Weren’t they the ones whom He had done
miracles for, the ones whom He had connected with through Moses to lead
them into a land flowing with milk and honey? How could this have happened
to them? What does the Lord want from them? What does He want from you?
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord
require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your
God.” (Micah 6:8)
That’s it. Master these basics. Learn how to punch. Find your smooth
stones. Polish them, use them frequently and you, too, will find that the battles
you fight you will no longer fight alone, for the battle is the Lord’s.
Amen.
O U R N E W C H U RC H V O C A B U L A R Y
Part of a continuing series developed by the Rev. W. Cairns Henderson, 1961-1966.
BONDS
By these are meant man’s affections; not because they are fetters, but because they bind
man to what he loves and restrain him from what is contrary, thus keeping him within their
bounds. There are said in the Writings to be three kinds of bonds. External bonds are those
of civil society – fear of the law and the loss of reputation, possessions and life; exterior bonds
are those which come from knowing the truths of faith; internal bonds, which are called also
the “bonds of conscience,” are affections of good and its truth. The celestial alone have no
bonds; they enjoy living perceptions. (See Arcana Coelestia 3835, 81)
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